Protestantism used to be known by the relatively small number of “standard” denominations, like Baptists (various groups of baptists), Lutherans (various Lutheran groups), Presbyterians (various different presbyterian bodies), A.M.E., Episcopalians,
Anglicans, Church of Christ, what have you.

Now there are so very, very, very many independent and newcomer groups of protestants that we are way beyond the ability to keep an accurate record of the different protestant groups. And beside the groups (those with say, 25 or more congregations of the same group), there also churches started by every Tom, Dick, and Harry or Harriet or has either a legitimate ministerial ordination, or even mail-order ordinations to the ministry.
Every Tom, Dick and Harry is starting his or her own “church.”
You can never have unity or common discipline in such a situation.

Just about every list that everyone provided was awesome!! I was going to do individual replies, but thought it easier to just do one big THANK YOU to everyone. Thank you all so much for this awesome resource!!

I don’t know how reliable this is as a guide to the number of denominations - my denomination is listed eight times. Looks to me as if they made the list up from corporate filings.

There used to be a book published called the “Handbook of Denominations”. It was very good with descriptions of the doctrine of each group. It was organized according to theological beliefs and described how each group came to be.

I don’t know how reliable this is as a guide to the number of denominations - my denomination is listed eight times. Looks to me as if they made the list up from corporate filings.

There used to be a book published called the “Handbook of Denominations”. It was very good with descriptions of the doctrine of each group. It was organized according to theological beliefs and described how each group came to be.

Yesterday after our first scrutiny, my RCIA instructor informed us the the people who need to be baptized don’t NEED to go to confession prior to Easter Vigil. I said “from what I’ve read, if you haven’t been baptized, then you CAN’T go to confession”. She told me “no, you can go, you just don’t need to because you’re going to be getting baptized.”. Tonight, the assistant pastor was teaching on the Sacrament of Reconciliation. I asked if people who have not been baptized are allowed to go to confession, to which he rightly replied “no, you have to be baptized first”. I asked this as he was wrapping up the night. Within two minutes, the RCIA instructor reminded everyone that we have a night of reconciliation coming up and that “those who are baptized could go to confession, and those who are not baptized have a choice as to whether or not they want to.”

Half the class said a big “NO you cannot”. She was present for Father’s teaching, so it just amazes me that she still said this.